Injuries force Prestatyn bowler Owen to retire from county cricket with Glamorgan

Reporter:

Dean Jones

Monday 17 August 2015 15:43

PRESTATYN cricketer Will Owen has retired following a lengthy battle with back and hip injuries.

The 26-year-old Glamorgan bowler made his first-class debut against Gloucestershire in 2007 but after multiple surgeries has decided to call it a day.

Owen said: “The last couple of seasons have been very difficult as I’ve tried to get back playing to peak performance.

“I am thankful for the support I have received from the club, particularly the medical and conditioning staff.

"As I look back I’m proud to have lived my dream to play cricket for Glamorgan and I wish the club well for the future.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to all coaches who I have worked with and who have helped me become the player I was and to the PCA.

"I also have to thank all the supporters for sticking through the tough as well as the good times with me and to the players I have played with who have made the journey so memorable.”

On completing his studies at Cardiff Met, Owen became a member of Glamorgan’s squad in 2011 and took 30 first-class wickets, while also making 69 against Derbyshire, sharing a club-record tenth wicket stand with James Harris.

After missing most of 2013 through injury Owen returned to action in the shortest format of the game in 2014, featuring in several of the county’s games in the NatWest T20 Blast, but despite surgery and a long period of rehabilitation treatment and training, he has been unable to return the level of performance for first team cricket in 2015.

Director of Cricket and chief executive Hugh Morris, added: “He delivered some impressive spells in recent seasons in both the longer and short form of the game and his likeable personality and professional nature will be missed by the team and everyone at the club. We wish him well for the future.”